From: JimFour@aol.com
Date: Sat, 26 Feb 2000 16:53:24 EST
Subject: what has been revealed to me in this discussion of Buddhism and
I am sadden to say to members of this gay male Buddhist listserve
(gbof@egroups.com) and to members of the Shnga e-list that my fear about how
Buddhist practice has at its core a huge spiritual closet for lesbian and gay
people is becoming confirmed in the posts here on the subject of
homosexuality. Admittedly the redirection of sexual energy can have a very
powerful reward. But history has also taught us the repression of sexual
desire can result in very repressive, destructive behavior. Note the
preponderance of pedophile in the Roman Catholic clerical world and the
history of misogyny in most spiritual practices led by heterosexual men. I do
not deny that for some a life of celibacy is a conscious choice and a
rewarding one spiritually for those so called to its path. I have no quarrel
with those who seek this path. For me to deny sexual desire and gay and
lesbian identity is to not only not confront homophobia, but to be complicit
with its message that homosexuality is wrong. All this talk of transcending
identity and detaching sex acts from love (in all its dimension and meaning
including personal love) tells me: not this path, not this journey for you
Jim.
I have seen far too many gaymen detach their sexual activity from love and
affection. The dis-ease of sexual compulsion and objectification is rampant
in the gay male community. I have also seen it acted out in the spiritual
community under the mask of detachment and ritual. I have not seen this
detachment from identity to heal either the objectification or the compulsive
behavior. To me, denial simply masks the soul sickness.
To all those who disagree with me, please lets us not fight over
interpretations of text and engage in intellectual debate. Each of us
hopefully lives his and her life as best we can and hopefully the Buddha
light can shine within each of us as we journey towards enlightenment, inner
peace and equality in all our relations. May we continue to sit and meditate
together. ...blessed be.
Jim Fouratt